"Seeing that I've no land at home now I wouldn't mind staying here when you all go back," said Jacob.
"I'll sell you mine, Jacob," said Thurstan.
The maid returned to ask them to follow, and they went after her, stroking their lank hair smooth on their foreheads, and studying the remains of the snow on their boots. When they came to the door of the room where they were to meet with Greeba, Jacob whispered to the little maid, "I'll give you a crown when I come out again." Then he twisted his face over his shoulder and said: "Do as I do; d'ye hear?"
"Isn't he a boy?" chuckled Gentleman John.
Then into the room they passed, one by one, all six in file. Greeba was standing by a table, erect, quivering, with flashing eyes, and the old trembling on both sides her heart. Jacob and John instantly went down on one knee before her, and their four lumbering brethren behind made shift to do the same.
"So we have found you at last, thank God," said Jacob, in a mighty burst of fervor.
"Thank God, thank God," the others echoed.
"Ah, Greeba," said Jacob, in a tone of sorrowful reproach, "why ever did you go way without warning, and leave us all so racked with suspense? You little knew how you grieved us, seeming to slight our love and kindness towards you——"
"Stop," said Greeba. "I know too well what your love and kindness have been to me. Why have you come?"
"Don't say that," said Jacob, sadly, "for see what we have made free to fetch you—six hundred pound," he added, lugging a bag and a roll of paper out of his pocket.